For years television house crashers and online remodeling experts have harped the value of “sweat equity” aka doing as much work in the renovating of your house as physically possible. It seemed like a great idea especially with TV production and a crew of dozens watching over your moves or for Bob Vila who never has to come repair the things you messed up after reading his article. In the real world many DIY rookies will tell you the savings they made in doing their own work (if any) didn’t equal the time, stress, additional problems, or yelling matches that ensued in the process.
The truth is, sweat equity could be a thing of the past especially considering the benefits available by just hiring somebody – the least of which is knowing the job is actually done right. Here are some reasons to let D.I.Y be a big N.O.
DIY Home Renovation is Not As Cost-Effective As You Might Think
Obviously the cheapest part of a DIY home renovation is the labor but from there, homeowners can expect to pay a higher margin on materials, tool rental, future repairs, diminished ROI, and so on. Most Canadian contractors have lines of credit with multiple suppliers which not only gives them the knowledge of the best priced and highest quality of product, but opens them up for bulk purchasing discounts as well. A homeowner is limited to big-box stores and likely could be paying 2-3 times more for the same or even lower quality materials.
The Right Tools are Needed to Get the Job Done
While the meat of construction project are the saws, framing nailers, and hammers, there are dozens of little tools that are required to get the job done right. A professional contractor has all these tools at their disposal in their trailer whereas a DIYer will either have to scramble to neighbors or run to the hardware store – all which add time and costs to the increasingly stressful project.
DIY Improvisation May Impact Quality
One thing that a lack of tools does is make DIYers improvise. If a table saw isn’t available the homeowner might rely on a chalk line, a circular saw, and a steady hand to rip boards and the result is diminished quality on the project. You may have saved hundreds of dollars on laying floors on your own but now you have to constantly keep rugs on the area so guests don’t notice the shoddy work. Is it worth it?
Insurance Policies May Not Cover DIY Home Renovation Work
Many homeowners who have tried their hand at DIY home renovation have discovered over the years that their digging into the home actually caused more damage and thus more expenses in the long run. When you start chopping up electrical and plumbing lines or build bathrooms without treated wood you end up paying double if not triple for the project. Plus, your insurance policy may not cover DIY work, leaving you with a hefty repair bill if things go wrong.
In the end, the main reason people perform their own home renovation is because of free labor but this is taking into consideration that your time is worth $0. Do you really want to spend your nights, weekends, and every available hour tearing down and building back up the home while stresses mount? The weird thing is – some people do and find DIY home renovation very rewarding but for others it’s just easier and more affordable to ‘call the guy’.